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% R I E F HISTORY 



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MONTHLY MEETING, MAY 7, 18G2, 



BY J. H. SHEPPART), A. M., 



LIBRARIAN OF THK soi I i;t\ 



ALBANY : 
J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

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BRIEF HISTORY 



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BEAD AT THB; 



MONTHLY MEETING, MAY 7, 1862, 



BY J. H.^SHEPPARD, A. M. 



LIBRAUIAN OF THE SOCIETY. 



ALBANY : 

J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 

1862. 



A BRIEF HISTORY. 



" The time will come, sir, wlien it will be accounted an honor to have descended 
from the men, who first settled this country." — Mdress, 1852, by the Rev. William 
Jenks, D. D., Hon. Memb. 

Every association, institute or political body, like a human being, 
as it progresses to maturity, lias its infancy, youth and manhood. It 
has been so with our Genealogical Society; at first feeble, then vigor- 
ous and now strong and flourishing. A brief outline of our history 
seems peculiarly adapted to our situation and wants at the present 
time. 

The preliminary steps toward the formation of this Society occur- 
red at the residence of William H. Montague, merchant of Boston, 
in Orange sti'eet, Oct. 1844; which were followed by a meeting at 
Mr. Shattuck's, No. 79 Harrison Avenue, on Friday evening Nov. 1, 
of the same year. The gentlemen then present were Charles Ewer, 
Samuel G. Drake, William H. Montague, J. Wingate Thornton and 
Lemuel Shattuck. They organized the meeting and chose Mr. Ewer 
President and Mr. Thornton Secretary. It may be asked, who first 
conceived the idea of an institution which in It years from its incor- 
poration has grown into such magnitude and influence ? For we 
may rest assured that no invention, discovery or useful project ever 
took place without a thought from some prime mover, or a suggestion 
first made by an original thinker. 

The answer to this question may be rendered certain, and will be 
only an act of justice to the memory of a worthy and excellent man. 
Chailes Ewer was the first mover and originator of a plan which led 
to the formation of the " N. E. Historic-Genealogical Society," which 
he wished to be entitled the " N. E. Genealogical and Heraldic 
Society." He was a man of leisure, was anxious to form such an 
association and invited congenial spirits to unite with him in this 
object. It was a grand and noble thought; for this Genealogical 
Society is the first one, particularly devoted to the Pedigree of fami- 
lies in the world. Some years after, a similar society was instituted 
at London. We know of no other. Perhaps the lamented Charles 
Ewer, when he first meditated in the secret chamber of his brain, on 
the formation of a Society so valuable, felt like that quaint and pious 
poet of old England, Herbert, when he said, 

" He that good thinketh, good may do, 
For God will help him thereunto ; 
For was never good work wrought 
Without beginning of good thought." 



In December, the Constitution, which had been drafted by a Com- 
mittee, was adopted. March 18, 1845, an Act of Incorporation 
was granted by the Legislature, wherein the object of this Society 
was set forth in these words: " For the purpose of collecting, preserv- 
ing, and occasionally publishing genealogical and historical matter, 
relating to early New England families, and for the establishment of 
a Cabinet." This great aim was also emphatically represented in a 
Circular by the Directors, June, 1847: that is, to Rescue the decaying 
Records of New England. These words were not a mere flourish of 
the pen; for a quarterly was published by the Society, young and 
comparatively feeble as it was; and No. 1, of the New Evgland 
Historical atid Genealogical Register was issued Jan. 1, 1847, under the 
editorial care of the late Rev. William Cogswell, D. D. 

We have described the Birth of our Society; let us for a moment 
look at its struggles in Infancy, It began in poverty. No rich 
patron, nor beneficent donor smiled on it as it stretched out its little 
arms. Its nursery was a solitary chamber, No. 9, in the third story 
of the "City Building," so called. Court Square; an out-of-the-way 
place, small, being only 12 feet square, badly lighted from back 
windows overlooking a dark alley — a room, indeed sombre enough 
and poorly adapted to the wants of the little Genealogical stranger. 
An old table, troubled with the podagra — a chair or two which had 
seen better days — and a set of pine shelves without back or panel, 
subject to the rickets; such was the furniture in this cavernous-look- 
ing spot — this Pandora's box with only hope at the bottom. But as 
the Society held their meetings for business in the attic room of the 
Am. Ed. Soc, in Cornhill, this dark chamber was resorted to rather 
as a place for depositing donations. The amount of these donations 
for the year 1845, as appears by the Records, will show how small 
was that beginning which formed a nucleus around which have 
gathered in sixteen years so many golden treasures of antiquarian 
research. There were presented in 1845, 24 bound volumes of books — 
10 manuscripts — 6 plans — an old lease — 4 bound volumes of the 
Independent Chronicle, 1804-1811 — and 185 pamphlets, consisting of 
sermons, catalogues, orations and miscellaneous matter De ovinibus 
rebus et quibnsdam aliis; besides, "a wheelbarrow load of manu- 
script sermons" — as the record has it — " of Dr. Joseph Eckley, Old 
South Church." The books were scattered on the shelves; but these 
pamphlets of the infant Society, lay like swaddling clothes in a 
corner, where it slept. 

To follow its growth and progress year by year, would be unprofit- 
able and only weary the reader's patience. Daily records have been 
kept wherein the donations and donors' names are preserved, with 
all the proceedings, and deposited in our archives. The ghostly 
chamber in the City Building was abandoned Oct, 6, 1847, for a room 
larger and a little better, but still badly windowed, on the first floor 
in Massachusetts Block, No. 8. This building was then a kind of 
Lincoln's Inn, and the little fellow got nestled among the lawyers. 
Some furniture was procured with cases and shelves, and the dona- 
tions soon began to accumulate and make a show of antiquity where 
they stood carefully arranged. 

During the three or more years this tenebrious place was occupied, 



our prospects were slowly and hopefully encouraging; until Jan. 
1851, a new room was hired, more lightsome and pleasant, No. 5 
Tremont Row; and here to continue our similitude, the Society passed 
its youth; for this room was occupied nearly seven years, until the 
shelves, cases and walls were so crowded, with books pamphlets, 
MSS., newspapers, portraits, &c., that the growing society had 
but a small space to meet in, and a bibliothecal stevedore would 
have found it difficult with a cottou-screw to press more donations 
into any part of the library. Another and a better apartment, No. 
13, Bromfield street — our present large and well lighted hall — was 
secured for our use in Oct. 1858, and any one who knows how small 
in size the Society once was, and now looks around on the numerous 
shelves and cases for books, and closets for manuscripts, which are 
all well filled, must acknowledge that it has reached the full stature 
of manhood, and well deserves the "freedom suit " of some fire-proof 
building. 

Before contemplating the Library, it may be well to cast our eye 
on the annual increase of resident members. Beginning with 1844, 
when there were only 5 original members, the statistical table stands 
thus: 

New Members. New Members. New Members. 

1845 37 1851, 22 1857, 43 

1846, 21 1852, 21 1858, 71 

1847, 32 1853, 40 1859 60 

1848, 14 1854, 12 1860 46 

1849 2 1855, 40 1861, 20 

1850, 22 1856, 30 

The Society now consists of about 325 paying members; in addi^ 
tion to which there is a large number of Corresponding and Honorary 
members. The Presidents were as follows! Charles Ewer, Esq., Jan. 
1845-1850;- Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL. D., 1850-1853; William Whit- 
ing, Esq., 1853-1858; Samuel G. Drake, A. M., 1858-1859; Almon D. 
Hodges, Esq., 1859-1861; and Winslow Lewis, M. D., 1861, President 
at this time. 

By the Report of Frederic Kidder, Esq., Chairman of the Library 
Committee, Jan. 1, 1862, it appears that there are over 5,000 bound 
volumes of books, and about 18,000 pamphlets of various kinds be- 
longing to the library. A Catalogue of the books has been made 
within a year. 

Many of the books are very valuable, and if lost could not be re- 
placed. For instance twenty large folio volumes, well bound, of the 
U. S. Direct Tax of 1'3'98, in Massachusetts, including Maine then a 
district. This gigantic work, containing nearly every town, is all but 
complete. Three vols, have each a copious index — the rest need one. 
This DoMESDAY-BOOK of the Bay-State is of inestimable value to the 
genealogist and biographer of New England. In addition to numer- 
ous plans and ancient charts and a great collection of Mss., some of 
which are very old and rare, the Society has 94 bound volumes of 
pedigrees and about 133 distinct family lists of ancestors, included 
in separate pamphlets or in volumes — making all together at least 
227 genealogies of difi"erent families; also 102 volumes of town 
histories, which include pedigrees not elsewhere published. Many of 



6 

tliese pedigrees are noticed in that recent and exceedingly useful 
Hand book of American Genealogy, by William H. Whit more, a 
member of our Society. It is a source of no small satisfaction to 
the N. E. His.-Gen. Soc, while it has been struggling through many 
difficulties and discouragements, to behold on its shelves no small 
number of these pedigrees and town histories and kindred works 
which were written and published by some of its own members. 
The same remark might also apply to some of our books on bio- 
graphy. A tree is known by its fruit, and a Society like ours by its 
genealogical trees. 

It may be here observed, that in the General Statutes of Mass., 
chap. 18, sec. 10, p. 158, there is a provision that towns in this com- 
monwealth may grant and vote such sums as they may think necessary, 
"For procuring the writing and publishing their town histories." 
This clause was re-enacted from an act of April 29, 1854, chap. 429; 
a law got up by the writer of this article, when he was a member 
of the Legislature. Its utility was then so apparent, that it passed 
the House unanimously without comment. It is said that in Ver- 
mont a similar statute soon followed. 

There is also in the library a choice collection of works on Her- 
aldry; Rymer's Fadera in 19 great folios; a very curious old book, 
the Andrew Ledura, an antique on Genealogy, in Latiu, printed 
about 1474 at Nuremberg, perhaps the earliest printed volume on 
Pedigree, illuminated by hand and with a pictured model of a 
genealogical tree, with the motto Seqitit figura arboris consanguini- 
tatis; and several elaborate histories of English counties. Nor 
would I forget to mention the beautiful specimen of music, 650 
pages on parchment or vellum, presented by Col. Swett, to whom it 
was sent by his daughter at Florence. It is a Roman Catholic clioral 
book, and by Bishop Fitzpatrick was called a Graduale. The musical 
notes are square or angular, different from those now in use. On each 
page are letters splendidly illuminated. There can be no doubt that 
it is the work of a pen before the invention of printing, which was 
about 1440; therefore it must be nearly 500 years old, if not more. 
It is a beautiful curiosity, and the chants on those pages now silent 
as death, must have once awakened the sweetest feelings of adora- 
tion in the Italian chapel or cathedral their melody filled. 

There is a large collection of MSS., some of which are of early 
date in the settlement of the country; such as Hull's Journal 
written in 1675, and Russell's Treasury Accounts of Massachusetts 
Bay, 1645-1656. 

Among the donors whose names appear on our records, reference 
should be made to the liberality of Charles Ewer and William Whit- 
ing, our past Presidents — to the Hon. Edward Everett, who in March 
1852, donated more than 100 volumes — to the Hon. David Sears 
for some costly works he procured for the Society from London — to 
the late Hon. Nathan Appleton for some rare and valuable volumes 
— and for several hundreds of books, man}' of them scarce and 
ancient, besides a niass of old MSS. and pamphlets, from Dr. Lewis. 
The heart that is warmed with grateful emotions delights to speak 
of its benefactors. And we would n(jt forget the generous bequest 
of the late Dr. Henry Bond of Philadelphia — of which an account is 



given in a Memoir of him in the ]V. E. His.-Gen, Reg., vol. xiv, p, 
1-3 — which bequest has been invested in the " Bond Fund." Nor 
would we be silent on the two donations of John Barstow, Esq., of 
Providence, R. I., which are to form a permanent fund. Mention 
should also be made of a rich gift from the British Government, viz. 
The Rotuli, or Rolls of Parliament and Record Publications of Great 
Britain, being 29 volumes principally folios; and also of a large 
number of its publications, including three great folio volumes of 
Plates sent us by the London Society of Antiquaries, 

Since I began to take charge of this library — nearly a year and a 
half ago — I have been surprised at the number of gentlemen who have 
come here to look up their pedigrees. One from Oregon, another 
from California, another from Illinois, and numbers from the middle 
states, and different parts of New England, have called and spent 
hours and some few even days, in searching genealogy and heraldry, 
taking mintites, and pondering over the faint or certain traces of 
their ancestors. Nols long since two very civil and intelligent Mor- 
mons from Utah spent some hours in searching their progenitors and 
went away somewhat pleased at the information they obtained. Let- 
ters of inquiry, touching this subject are not unfrequent. It shows 
the value of our association, and the increasing spread of its influ- 
ence; and let it be our grand object and untiring effort to obtain 
every book of pedigree, and everything touching this subjpct in New 
England, that our Genealogical Society may be the Head-quarters, 
from which shall issue all true knowledge of New England ancestry. 

But among the respectable, and sometimes eminent visitors to 
our Genealogical Library, in search of their family history, there is 
one class of a different kind, which deserves no encouragement and 
ought to be repudiated as drones in the hive of human society. I 
refer to hunters of English fortunes — weak men, led on by specula- 
tors to false hopes and great expectations, and deluded into a notion 
that some rich old fellow of the same name— some hundreds of 3'ears 
ago — died without children, and an immense inheritance has slept in 
abeyance, till the lost heir turns up in a cottage under the cliffs of 
New England. 

Such infatuation is of a similar character with the dreams of 
money diggers; and from the great faith of some of the dupes in 
finding hidden treasures, it would seem that Herman Dousterswivel 
in Walter Scott's inimitable Antiquary when he dug for ingots 
among the ruins of St. Ruth, was no fiction, but a reality. So many 
rogues have deluded the credulous in this way, and so much imposi- 
tion has been practised by hungry sharpers on each side of the At- 
lantic, that the best way is to turn a cold shoulder to all hunters of 
inheritances and advise them to waste no money on agents and go to 
work. 

The regular reading of papers before the Society at their monthly 
meetings began in February, 1855, at the suggestion of our former 
vigilant and active Librarian, the Rev. Luther Farnham, who deli- 
vered in October of that year a ver}' interesting article — which was 
afterwards publisiied under the title of a Glance at Private Libra- 
ries. Several of the Readings have been printed in a pamphlet 
form, and in magazines and newspapers — a particular reference to 



8 

which the time forbids; although the valuable paper on New Eng- 
land Architecture by the Rev. N. H. Chamberlain, deserves your at- 
tention. Some of the Readings have been marked by a talent and 
learning which would have delighted a large assembly of the public, 
as tliey did our limited audience; — a convincing proof that we need 
a Lecture-room to accommodate a greater number and enable the 
Society to enlarge their invitations. 

Some idea may be formed of the progress and present flourishing 
state of the Society by a reference to Addresses delivered at annual 
or public meetings, four of which have been published in the Regis- 
ter and also separately distributed in a pamphlet form. The first 
was by the Rev. William Jenks, D. D., March 1, 1852, in which that 
elegant and learned scholar and eminent linguist in his own peculiar 
and happy manner illustrated the connection — the commune vincuhim — 
of History, Biograpliy and Heraldry with Genealogy the great object 
of our institution. 

The next was by William Whiting, Esq., Jan. 12, 1853, as Pre- 
sident, in which he portrayed the purposes and design of the Society 
in a striking manner and great variety of particulars, pointing out 
in a graphic sketch the ardor and enthusiasm with which a searcher 
of Genealogy enters on his task, perseveres in the pursuit and after 
he has accomplished his object, we " hear his shout of joy when he 
at last finds the lost jewel." Register, vol. vli, p. 106. 

Jan. 20, 1868, Mr. Samuel G. Drake, A. M., President of the Society, 
gave us another Address. He had been Corresponding Secretary 
thirteen years, and from his long and unwearied devotion to Anti- 
quarian researches, his remarks were valuable and instructive, 
fraught with the weight of experience. "I wish" — he observes — 
"particularly to impress upon the minds of all present, that they 
should encourage contributions of books, pamphlets, as well as manu- 
scripts of every description. For who can estimate the value a single 
pamphlet or letter may be to somebody at some time ?" This he cor- 
roborates by an anecdote directly in point to which I must refer for 
want of room. 

The last Address was from our President Winslow Lewis, M. D., 
Jan. 1, 1862. The happy and classical reference to the long hallowed 
customs of marking this day in the calendar of life was introduced 
with much efi'ect. Nor were the allusions to the Christmas carols 
with "cake and ale" less touching at the time, as we were then 
entering upon the last half of the Holidays so dear to the recollec- 
tions of many and waking up delightful thoughts of other times, as 
some old poet feelingly sings: 

'* The Chimes, the Chimes of mothiT IjukI, 
Of Eiiglaud green ami i)ld ; 
That out from th;uie and ivied tower, 
A thousand years have told." 

The union of Genealogy with Biography, Heraldry, Numismatics and 
History was set forth find exemplified fully; but there was a province 
of Genealwgy of peculiar importance, which has seldom been brought 
before the notice of our Society; and coming from one of eminent 
professional experience it has the sanction, as it were, of a truth ex 



cathedra. It is tliis: "That mental as well as physical qualities are 
handed down more or less from parent to child, from forefathers to 
posterity, and that thus, pure and healthy descent is of immense im- 
portance. * * * And very frequently we can ascribe the united 
qualities of valor and of virtue, of great intellect and gentle heart, 
to the marriage union of parents, whose families were respectively 
distinguished for tiiese virtues." 

These four Addresses, though on subjects somewhat similar, have 
presented the object and aim of our Society in so many different 
points of view, and all concentrating in one grand purpose — the 
preservation of all kinds of documents from ruin — -that they deserve 
the special attention of every member. 

There is also one other Address which was delivered before the N. 
E. His.-Gen. Society in the Hall of the House of Representatives of 
Mass., September 13, 1859, and published. It was by one of our 
members, the Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, a Centennial Address on the 
death of Maj. Gen. James Wolfe, who died on the heights of Quebec 
in the arm.s of victory, Sep. 13, 1759. The subject was one of great 
interest, as a brilliant epoch in the Colonial history, and as a memO' 
rial of one of England's noblest warriors. Both branches of the Le- 
gislature were present, and delegations from several antiquarian and 
historic societies attended. Mr. Sabine's well known reputation as a 
writer and a most accurate investigator of facts, was ably sustained', 
and he has given to us a piece of Biography, rich and exceedingly 
interesting — a diamond of the first water. It is beautifully printed 
making a centurial pamphlet, of exactly 100 pages, including notes 
and 36 pages of Appendix. 

The value and importance of the N. E. Historical and Genealogical 
Register, which commenced as a quarterly Jan. 1, 1847, and has now 
reached xv complete volumes — whether we regard the numerous 
sketches of biograph3', the minute and carefully drawn pedigrees of 
families or the fragments of the early history of our country — can- 
not bo estimated in the bird's eye view of this article. Our Register 
has travelled on, patient, noiseless and persevering, for fifteen years in 
fhe humble path of usefulness. It has sought none of the rhetorical 
adornments of genius, nor the charms of fiction; nor even tried to 
cull a blossom on the Parnassian mountains and valle3'S of New Eng- 
land — unless it be a May-Flower, which has at times perfumed its 
pages. It has become a reservoir of facts, which from day to day 
and year to year will grow more precious. And when we, whose 
locks are touched with age, and all our younger members, have 
passed away, this ancestral monument of so many honored families 
— some of wiiom were lineal descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers — 
will be sought out, read and cherished, as an Englishman venerates 
the Armorial bearings transmitted to him bj^ jjrogenilors who did 
their country some service. This Genealogical Ilcgisler has already 
been a copious fountain, from which some books of Pedigree have 
drawn a rich supply; nor has a generous credit always been given, 
where pretty large annexations of (u-iginal matter have been made. 
But the Register is able to bear it and stand alone on its merit. 

That we may justl}' appreciate the worth of this elaborate work, 
let us suppose for a uiouicnt that ovciy copy of the xv volumes, was 



10 

suddenly blotted out of existence, and moreover, that the learned 
antiquarian — the indefatigable historian of Boston — who so long- and 
so ably conducted a large portion of the work, had gone to his rest; 
where could we supply their place ? Who then could restore the 
lost pedigrees of so many New England families, which, root and 
branch, have been here embalmed ? Their memory would perish in 
that deep, dark gulf over which the waters of Lethe are rolling for- 
ever 1 This Register of the past — even if it should stop, after the 
current year's experiment — which we sincerely hope may not be so, 
but like the Eagle it may renew its strength — will stand the test of 
of time, and a liundred years hence be called for and sought by de- 
scendants of the Pilgrim Fathers. 

Those who undervalue a regard to Pedigree may deem these re- 
marks as entliusiastic or visionary. Tliey can see no beauty nor 
benefit in Genealogy. It was far otherwise in that ancient land, 
where honor to our father and mother was deemed among the first of 
virtues, and where the Law and the Gospel first prevailed. We are 
informed in Calmet's great Dictionary of the Bible that "the Hebrews 
carefully preserved their genealogies and never was a nation more 
circumspect respecting them." Josephus speaks of the uninter- 
rupted succession of priests for 2,000 years; and Jerome, who wrote 
in the 4th century, says the Jews knew so perfectly their genealogies 
that they could repeat all the names from Abraham to Zerubbabel. 
According to the prophet Ezra, chap, ii, 62, a priest, who could not 
trace his genealogy, was not admitted to the ministry. In England 
the Herald's College is the great office where the enrolment of dis- 
tinguished pedigrees is kept under the various and almost infinite 
emblems of a Coat of Arms, which to a stranger appears odd and 
trifling, but to any one who is conversant with the metals, colors and 
furs, the charges and crests with which a shield is emblazoned, will 
see the propriety and beauty of Heraldry and that it is worthy of the 
study it requires: for it is not learnt in a moment; it is a language 
by itself. 

It is true that Genealogy is a dry pursuit and demands patient re- 
search, mental labor and no small skill in forming a clear and tabu- 
lar view of a man's progenitors. It is a science which makes little 
noise, and requires a mind like Old Mortality to decipher the inscrip- 
tions on tombstones, or an antiquarian eye to sift old wills and search 
the natal or funeral annals of a family in their " Big ha' Bible." 
Who does not wish to know something of his ancestors ? And more 
especially if he have become eminent in wealth or talent. Such a 
desire is a principle inherent in our nature: it is born in us, and is 
only lost by vice or debasing pursuits. The moment a man rises 
above the level of a clown or churl, he looks beyond the nameless 
hillocks of the dead and wishes to know where his buried ancestors 
lie. There are tliose born, it is true, consunip.rc fruges terrm, who caie 
for none of these things. But as a man advances in taste, intellect- 
ual improvement and the delight of knowledge, he grows more 
anxious to get some tidings of those ancestors from whom he is de- 
scended. Even the immortal Washington, it is said, used means to 
trace his ancestry, and they were not unsuccessful, for his descent 
was worthy of Iiis fune. We may look back through ages on our 



11 

progenitors, but we can only look forward for years to our posterity, 
for, as they are coming' on the stage, we are going off. It was a 
beautiful tiiought of Virgil, but contrary to human nature, when he 
represents Anchises in the Elysiau tields, as bringing before his son's 
eyes the shades of his illustrious descendants from Silvius down to 
Augustus Csesar, one after another like " dissolving views." Such 
visions of our future progeny, perhaps, we may have from some 
standpoint in the celestial world, but not on this dark earth, for we 
know not what a day may bring forth. 

When the ancients could not find a splendid parentage for a favor- 
ite hero, they solemnly averred that he was descended from some 
deity they worshiped. In this kind of Genealogy they made Her- 
cules the son of Jupiter and a young lady of Argos by the name of 
Alcmena whom the Thunderer bewitched; Pious Ji^neas who carried his 
father out of flaming Troy on his shoulders, was the son of Anchises 
and Venus the queen of beauty; and Romulus and Remus were 
twins, the children of Mars and Miss Ilia of Alba, a vestal virgin; 
but, these fashionable parents left the little gemini to be suckled by 
a wolf. Such was the love of the Ancients for tracing their pedi- 
gree either on earth below or among the Olympian gods and god- 
desses above. Even in one of the late Genealogical works, the deriva- 
tion of the name of the ancient stirps savors a little of a half-way con- 
nexion with Jupiter and a kind of avuncular relationship to Hercules. 

Pardon this digression. It is pleasant to allude to those classic 
allegories which illuminated the reading of early days and sometimes 
give the color of the rose to the realities of life. Indeed, of a clear 
night I can never look upon the heavens above, without beholding 
the Mythology of the ancients written on the blue sky in the starry 
letters of the constellations. 

But, it is time this sketch should draw to a close, some parts of 
which may seem superfluous after the subject of Genealogy has been 
so happily and ably handled in the recent address of our President. 
Yet if any thing I have said oti this point should lead to a more 
careful perusal of that valuable document, my labor will not be in 
vain. One thing I can assure you, I have been induced to recom- 
mend the tracing of pedigrees to the descendants of the Pilgrim 
Fathers, by no self-flattering motives as it regards myself; for my 
ancestors and birth were in England. Yet both there and here the 
contemplation of the virtues of our progenitors has a tendency to 
make us more virtuous, and many a son has lived more nobly from 
the recollection that the blood which flows in his veins came from an 
honorable and elevated source. On the other hand the light of a dis- 
tinguished ancestry will only make the spotss more visible and hide- 
ous in the character of a degenerate descendant. 

I have said that the N. E. His.-Geu. Society is now in its manhood; 
yes in strong, healthy and vigorous manhood. Is it not so ? Jan- 
uary 1, 1862, our indefatigable and excellent treasurer, William B. 
Tovvne, Esq., reported that we were out of debt. We have a large 
and pleasant hall to meet in, where the light from the north and south 
cheers the eye as it ranges up and down the library; and yet, though 
the rooms we occupy are mucii safer than are usually found in the 
centre of a large city like this, there is not an active member of this 



LofC. 



12 

Society, who does not feel anxious and insecure, like one whose 
cottage lies at the foot of a volcano; for if a fire should break on 
this spot, what would become of so many scarce books, ancient 
manuscripts and rare works. Their loss would be irreparable. No 
money could restore them. 

We are told by Scott in tlie Fortunes of Nigel that in the time 
of James the 1st, King of England, it was the custom in London 
for men in trade to send out their clerks into the street, and cry out 
to the passers by, ^'What d''ye lack? What d^ ye lack?" Should some 
of our merchant-princes, or millionaires put to our Society a similar 
question, our answer is ready: 

1. We lack a Fire-proof-room to secure our rare books and manu- 
scripts. 

2. We lack a Lecture room, where the readings at our monthly 
meetings could be heard and better appreciated by a larger audience. 

3. We lack a room for the storage of duplicates and documents, 
whose worth will be better known at a future day. 

In a word we need a Fire-proof building ; it would cost probably 
$20,000. One tenth or one twentieth of this amount has been already 
offered by a member, if nine or nineteen will join him. Who will aid 
in this noble undertaking ? 



" 1850, 


to 


" 1853 


" 1853, 


to 


" 1858 


" 1858, 


to 


" 1859 


" 1859, 


to 


" 1861 


" 1861. 







OFFICERS 

OF TUE 

NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, 

FROM ITS ORGANIZATION IN JANUARY, 1845, TO JUNE, 1862, 
[Compiled by J. W. Dean.] 

* Prefixed to a name, signifies deceased ; t Signifies ex-officio. 

Presidents. 

*CIiarles Ewer, Esq., of Boston, Mass. Jan. 1845, to Jan, 1850 

Rev, Joseph Barlow Felt, LL.D., of Boston , 

William Whiting, A. M.,of Roxbury, 

Samuel Gardner Drake, A. M., of Boston 

Ahiion D. Hodges, Esq., of Roxbury, Mass...... 

Wiuslow Lewis, M. D , of Boston, , 

Vice-Presidents. 

*Lemuel Sbattuck, Esq., of Boston, Mass,, Jan, 1845, to Jan. 1850 

Rev. Lucius Robinson Paige, D. D., of Cambridge, Mass. " 1850, to " 1851 
Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D., ot Boston, Mass., , . " 1851, to " 1853 

Hon. Timothy Farrar, A. M., of Boston, Mass., " 1853, to " 1858 

Hon. William Willis, A. M., of Portland, Me., Feb, 1855, to " 1859 

Hon. Noah Martin, M. D, of Dover, N. H., " 1855, to " 1859 

*Rev. John Wheeler, D. D , of Burlington, Vt., " 1855, to " 1859 

Hon. William R. Staples, A. M., of Providence, R. I.,.,, " 1855, to " 1859 

*Hon. Nathaniel Goodwin, of Hartford, Ct,, " 1855, to May 1855 

Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. D., of New Haven, Ct., Aug. 1855, to Jan. 1859 

Hon. Frances Brinley, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1858, to " 1859 

Hon. Charles Hudson, A. M., of Lexington, Mass., " 1859, to " 1861 

Hon. John Appleton, of Bangor, Me., " 1859. 

Hon. Samuel D. Bell, LL.D., of Manchester, N. H , " 1859. 

Henry Clark, Esq., of Poultney, Vt " 1859. 

John Barstow, Esq., of Providence, R. I., " 1859. 

Rev. F. W. Chapman, A. M., of EUington, Ct , " 1859. 

Rev. Martin Moore, A. M., of Boston, " 1861. 

Honorary Vice-Presidents. 

Hon, Millard Fillmore, LL. D , of Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 1855. 

Hon. Lewis Cass, LL, D., of Detroit, Mich., " 1855, 

Hon. Elijah Hay ward, A. B., of Columbus, O., " 1855, 

Hon. John Wentworth, of Chicago, 111., " 1855. 

*Rev. John Lauris Blake, D. D., of Orange, N. J., Jan. 1856, to July 1857 

Hon. Samuel Breck, of Philadelphia, Pa., " 1856. 

Sebastian Ferris Streeter, A M., of Baltimore, Md. " 18.''i6. 

Edward Kidder, Esq., of Wilmington, N. C , " 1856, 

Rev, Thomas Smyth, D. D., of Charleston, S. C, " 1856. 

Hon. Ballard Smith, of Cannelton, Ind., -. , . '• 1856. 

Cyrus Woodman, A. M., of Mineral Point, Wis., .. " 1856. 

Rt. Rev. Henry W. Lee, D. D., of Davenport, Iowa " 1856. 

♦Andrew Randall, M. D., of San Franci.<co, Cal.,, , , " 1856, to July 1856 

Hon, Joseph C. Horublower, LL. D., of Newark, N. J.,. . " 1858, 



14 

Corresponding Secretaries. 

Samuel G. Drake, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1845, to Jan. 1850 

Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D. of Boston, " 1850, to " 1851 

Samuel (i. Drake, A. M., of Boston, " 1851, to " 1858 

Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, A. B, , of Boston, " 1858, to " 1859 

John Ward Dean, of Boston, " 1859, to " 18(52 

Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, A. M., of Roxbury, " 18G2. 

Assistant Corresponding Secretary. 
John Ward Dean, of Boston, Sept. 1858, to Jan. 1859 

Recording Secretaries. 

John Wingate Thornton, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1845, to Mar. 1846 

Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, A. B., of Boston, Apr. 1S4(), to Jan. 1851 

*Charles Mayo, E.sq., of Boston, Jan. 1851, to " 1856 

Hon. Francis Briiiley, A. M., of Boston, " 1856, to " 1857 

David Pulsifer, Esq., of Boston, " 1857, to Aug. 1857 

John Ward Dean, of Boston, Aug.1857, to Jan. 1858 

William M. Cornell, M. D., of Boston, Jan. 1858, to " 3859 

Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, A. M., of North Cambridge,.. " 1859, to " 1862 

Edward F. Everett, A. B., of Charlestown, " 1862. 

Assistant Recording Secretary. 
Edward F. Everett, A. B., of Charle.stown,. . .. .... Jan. 1861, to Jan. 1862 

Treasurers. 

William Henry Montague, Esq., of Boston, Jan. 1845, to Jan. 1851 

Frederic Kidder, E.sq., of Boston, " 1851, to " 1855 

John Ward Dean, of Boston, " 1855, to " 1857 

Isaac Child, E.sq., of Boston, " 1857, to " 1860 

Hon. George W. Mes.singer, of Boston, " 1860, to " 1861 

William B. Towne, Esq., of Brookline, " 1861, 

Historiographers . 

Joseph Palmer, M. D., of Boston, Jan. 1856, to Jan. 1862 

William B. Trask, of Dorchester, " 1862. 

Librarians. 

iJ. Wingate Thornton, A. M., of Boston, Apr. 1845, to Jan. 1846 

Edmund Bachelder Dearborn, Esq., of Boston Jan. 1846, to " 1849 

David Pulsifer, Esq., of Boston, " 1849, to " 1851 

Thomas Bellows Wyman, Jr., Esq., of Charlestown, " 1851, to " 1852 

William Blake Trask, Esq., of Dorchester, " 1852, to Aug. 1854 

.' ev. Luther Farnham, A. M., of Boston, Aug.1854, to July 185G 

Thomas B. Wymau, Jr., Esq., of Charlestown,.... Sep. 1856, to Jan. 1858 

Edward Holden, Esq., of Roxbury Jan. 1858, to " 1859 

William Blake Trask, Esq., of Dorchester, " 1859, to " 1861 

John H. Sheppard, A. M., of Boston, " 1861. 

Directors. 

*tCharles Ewer, E.sq., of Boston, Jan. 1845, to Jan. 1850 

*tLemuel Shattuck, Esq., of Boston, " 1845, to " 1850 

tSamuel G. Drake, A. M., of Boston, " 1845, to " 1850 

tJ. Wingate 'Ihornton, A M., of Boston, " 1845, to Mar. 1846 

tWilliam H. l\Iontague, Esq., of Boston '• 1845, to Jan. 1851 

!Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, A. B., of Boston, Apr. 1846, to " 1851 

fRev. Joseph B. Felt, LL. D., of Boston, Jan. 1850, to " 1853 

tRev, Lucius R. Paige, D. D , of Cambridge, " 1850, to " 1851 

tNathaniel B. Shurtletl, M. D., of Boston,., <« 1850, to " 1853 



15 

tSamuel U. Drake, A. M., of Boston Jan. 1851, to Jan. 1859 

*tCbarles Mayo, Esq., of Boston, " 1851, to " 1856 

tFrederic Kidder, Esq , of Boston, " 1851, to " 1855 

tWilliam Whiting, A. M, of Roxbury, " 1853, to *' 1858 

tHon. Timothy Farrar, A. M., of Boston, " 1853, to " 1858 

tJohn Ward Dean, of Boston, " 1855, to " 1857 

tHon. Francis Brinley, A. M., of Boston, " 1856, to " 1857 

tDavid Pulsifer, Esq., of Boston, " 1857, to Ang. 1857 

tisaac Child, Esq., of Boston, " 1857, to Jan. 1860 

tJohn Ward Dean, of Boston, Aug.1857, to " 1858 

tHon. Francis Brinley, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1858, to " 1859 

tRev. Samnel H. Riddel, A. B., of Boston, " 1858, to " 1859 

tWilliam M. Cornell, M. D., of Boston, " 1858, to " 1859 

tAlmon D. Hodges, Esq , of Roxbury, " 1859, to " 1861 

tHon. Charles Hudson, A. M., of Boston, " 1859, to " 1861 

John Ward Dean.J of Boston, " 1859. 

tRev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, A M , of North Cambridge,. . " 1859. 

tHon. George W. Messinger, of Boston, " 1860, to Jan. 1861 

t Winslow Lewis, M. D., of Boston, " 1861. 

Rev. Martin Moore,t A. M., of Bo.ston " 1861. 

tWilliam B. Towne, Esq., of Brookline, " 1861. 

John H. Sheppard, A. M.,J of Boston, July 1861. 

tEdward F. Everett, A. B., of Charlestown, Jan. 1862. 

tRev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D., of Salem " 1862. 

tWilliam Whiting, A. M., of Roxbury, " 1862. 

tSamuelG. Drake, A. M., of Boston, " 1862. 

tAlmon D. Hodges, Esq., of Roxbury " 1862. 

tWilliam B. Trask, Esq., of Dorchester, " 1862. 

tFrederic Kidder, Esq., of Boston " 1862. 

tJeremiah Colburn, Esq., of Brookline, " 1862. 

tWilliam Reed Deane, Esq., of Brookline, " 1862. 

Joseph Palmer, M. D., of Boston, " 1862. 

Hon. George W. Messinger, of Boston, " 1862. 

John Barstow, Esq., of Providence, R. I., " 1862. 

Secretaries of the Directors. 

tJ. Wingat« Thornton, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1845, to Mar. 1846 

tRev. Samuel H. Riddel, A. B., of Boston, Apr. 1846, to Jan. 1851 

Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D., of Boston, Jan. 1851, to " 1853 

*tCharles Mayo, Esq., of Boston, " 1853, to June 1855 

John Ward Dean, of Boston, Junel855, to Jan. 1856 

tHon. Francis Brinley, A. M., of Boston, Jan. 1856, to " 1857 

fDavid Pulsifer, Esq., of Boston, " 1857, to Aug. 1857 

tJohn Ward Dean, of Boston, Aug.1857, to Jan. 1858 

tWilliam M. Cornell, M. D., of Boston, Jan. 1858, to " 1859 

tEev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, A. M., of North Cambridge,. . " 1859, to Feb. 1861 

Edward F. Everett, A. B., of Charlestown Feb. 1861. 

Publishing Committee. 

*Charles Ewer, Esq., of Boston Mar. 1847, to Jan, 1851 

Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D., of Boston, " 1847, to *' 1849 

Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, A. B., of Boston, " 1847, to " 1851 

*David Hamblen, Esq., of Boston, Jan. 1849, to Oct. 1855 

*tWilliam T. Harris, A. M., of Cambridge, Feb. 1849, to '« 1849 

Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL. D., of Boston, Jan. 1850, to July 1852 

Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, M. D , of Boston, " 1850, to Jan. 1851 

Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D. D., of Cambridge " 1850, tb " 1851 

Charles Deane, A. M., of Boston, " 1851, to Oct. 1851 

J Wingate Thornton, A, M., of Boston, " 1851, to Mar. 1852 

} Ex-offlcio till Jan. 1862. i By inTitation of the Board till Jan. 1862. 



16 

*Williaia T. Harris, A. M., of Cambridge, Jan. 1851, to Oct. 1851 

Frederic Kidder, Esq., of Boston, Oct. 1851, to " 1855 

Hon. Timothy Farrar, A. M., of Boston and Dorchester,. Nov. 1851, to Dec. 1854 

William B. Trask, E.-q , of Dorchester, Apr. 1852, to Oct. 1853 

*Charles Mayo, Esq., of Bo.ston, Oct. 1852, to '« 1853 

Rev. William Jenks, D. D., of Boston, " 1853, to <* 1858 

Lyman Mason, A. M., of Boston, " 1853, to Dec. 1854 

Rev, John Ward Dean, of Boston, Dec. 1854. 

William Read Deane, Esq , of Brookline, " 1854, to Oct. 1856 

*Lpninel Shattnck, Esq., of Boston, " 18.'J4, to " 1856 

Rev. Alonzo Hall Quint, A. M., of Jamaica Plain, Oct. 1855, to *' 1856 

James Spear Loring, Esq., of Boston, " 1855, to " 1856 

Hon. Francis Brinley, A. M., of Boston, " 1856, to '^ 1858 

Charles H. Morse, Esq., of Cambridgeport " 1856, to " 1858 

William H. Whitmore, Esq., of Boston, " 1856, to Nov. 1861 

Hon. Timothy Farrar, A. M , of Boston, Oct. 1857, to Oct. 1858 

William B. Trask, Esq., of Dorchester, " 1858. 

Hon. Charles Hudson, A. M., of Lexington Nov. 1861. 

Rev. Elias Na.'^on, A. M., of Exeter, N. H., " 1861. 

George W. Chase, Esq., of Haverhill, " 1861. 

Cmmnittee on Donations and Exchanges. 

Janips S Loring, E;:q,, of Boston, May 1850, to Jan. 1852 

Charles J. F. Binney, Esq., of Boston, " 1850, to " 1852 

Hon. Amasa Walker, A. M., of North Brookfield, Jan. 1852, to «' 1854 

John G. Locke, Esq., of Bo.ston, " 1852, to " 1853 

James S. Loring, Esq., of Boston, " 1853, to " 1854 

Committee on the Library and Room, 

Isaac Child, Esq , of Boston , Jan. 1852, to Jan. 1856 

*Artemas Simonds, Esq., of Boston, " 1852, to Oct. 1854 



Committee on the Lihvary. 

JThomas B. Wyman, Jr., Esq , of Charlestown, . . . Jan. 

Charles H. Morse, Esq., of Cambridgeport, " 

William H. Whitmore, Esq., of Boston, " 

William B. Trask, E.sq., of Dorchester " 

tRev. Luther Farnham, A. M., of Boston , " 

Dean Dudley, Esq. , of Boston, Oct. 

Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee, A. M., of North Cambridge, Jan. 

Sylvester Bliss, Esq., of Roxbury, , . . *' 

Thomas J. Whittemore, Esq., of Cambridge,, " 

William Makepeace, Esq., of Boston, " 

Horace G. Barrows, M. D., of Boston, ,...,.. '• 

Edward S. Rand, Jr., A. M.,of Dedham, " 

tEdward Holden, Esq , of Roxbury, , , . " 

Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, A. M., of Jamaica Plain, '* 

Samuel Burnham, Esq., of Jamaica Plain, ,,. ** 

Thomas Waterman, Esq., of Boston, " 

J. Gardner White, Esq., of Boston, , . " 

tWilliam B. Trask, Esq., of Dorchester, " 

Frederic Kidder, Esq., of Boston, *' 

Rev. James Thurston, A, M., of Belmont " 

William S. Appleton, A. B., of Boston, ♦' 

tJohn H. Sheppard, A. M., of Boston, '« 

Jeremiah Colburn, Esq., of Brookline, " 

Rev. Abner Morse, A. M., of Boston, " 



1856, 


to Jan. 


1858 


1856, 


to 


(i 


1857 


1856, 


to 


it 


1857 


1856, 


to 


(C 


1858 


1856, 


to 


July 1856 


1856, 


to Jan. 


1858 


1857, 


to 




1858 


1857, 


to 




1858 


1858, 


to 




1859 


1858, 


to 




1859 


1858, 


to 




1859 


1858, 


to 




1859 


1858, 


to 




1859 


1859, 


to 




1861 


1859, 


to 




1861 


1859. 








1859, 


to Jan 


1861 


1859, 


to 


t( 


1861 


1861, 


to 


<< 


1862 


1861, 


to 


i< 


1862 


1861. 








1861. 








1862. 








1862. 









JEx-officio from Sept. 1856 to Jan. 1858. J Ex-offlcio since Jan. 1861. 



17 



Committee on Finance. 

Gen. Samuel Andrews, of Rosbury, Jan. 

*David Hamblen, Esq., of Boston, " 

Samuel Nicolson, Esq., of Boston, " 

Col. Samuel Swett, A. M., of Boston, " 

Nathaniel Whiting, Esq., of Watertown, " 

Hon. George W. Messinger, of Boston " 

tJohn W. Dean, of Boston, " 

John W. Parker, Esq., of Roxbury, " 

Charles H. Morse, Esq., of Cambridgeport, " 

Hon. William Makepeace, Esq., of Boston, " 

Thomas J. Whittemore, Esq., of Cambridge, " 

tisaac Child, Esq., of Boston, " 

Sylvester Bliss, Esq., of Roxbury, " 

William E. Baker, Esq., of Boston, *' 

Jacob Q. Kettelle, A. B., of Boston, " 

C. Benj. Richardson, Esq., of Boston, " 

William Makepeace, Esq., of Boston " 

Jeremiah Colburn, Esq., of Boston, " 

Thomas J. Whittemore, Esq., of Cambridge, " 

^William B. Towne, Esq., of Brookline, " " 

Hon. George W. Messinger,* of Boston, Jan. 

J. Tisdale Bradlee, Esq., of Boston, •. " 

Frederic Kidder, Esq., of Boston, " 



1852 


to Jan. 1856 


1852 


to Nov. 1855 


1856 


to Jan. 1857 


1856 


to 


' 1857 


185G 


to 


' 1857 


1856 


to 


' 1857 


1856 


to 


' 1857 


1857, 


to 


' 1858 


1857 


to 


' 1858 


1857 


to 


' 1858 


1857 


to 


' 1858 


1857, 


to 


' 1860 


1858 


to 


' 1859 


1858 


to 


' 1861 


1858 


to 


' 1859 


1858, 


to Nov. 1858 


1859 


to Jan. I860 


1859, 


to 


' 1862 


1859 






1860 






1860 






1861 






1862 







Committee on Lectures and Essays. 

Rev. Martin Moore, A. M., of Boston, Mar. 1860, to Jan. 1861 

Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D. D., of Cambridge, " 1860, to " 1861 

William Reed Deane, Esq., of Brookline, " 1860. 

Rev. Frederic W. Holland, A. M., of Dorchester, " 1860. 

Thomas Cushing, A. M., of Boston, " 1860. 

Rev. Washington Gilbert, A. M., of West Newton, Jan. 1861. 

J. Gardner White, Esq., of Boston, " 1861. 

Trustees of the Bond Fund and Property. 

Almon D. Hodges, Esq., of Roxbury, July 1859. 

Frederic Ki-dder, Esq., of Boston, " 1859. 

John Ward Dean, of Boston, " 1859. 



Trustees of the Barstoio Fund. 

William B. Towne, Esq., of Brookline, May 1862. 

A. D. Hodges, Esq., of Roxbury, " 1862. 

J. Tisdale Brodlee, Esq., of Boston, " 1862. 

2 



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